Christian education staff and volunteers are available on Sunday mornings to assist new children and their families. We encourage new families with small children to arrive early and take a brief tour of our Sunday School with their child and meet our Teddy Bear Nursery caretakers from Mother’s Helpers.
Our Sunday School and Teddy Bear Nursery is for ALL children (even visitors!). On Sunday morning at 10am children start out in the sanctuary with their families and then leave for Sunday school after the “Children’s message” is given by our pastor.
Here are some specific things we hope will make you and your children feel welcome in our church.
Explore our Children and Youth Ministries
Sunday School
Sunday School will meet at 11:30 on Sundays through the end of the school year, excepting holiday weekends. We’ll be gathering out in the church’s Taylor Garden, we’ll wear masks, and we’ll settle kids at tables individually or with their own family pods to ensure proper distancing. Each week we’ll dive into a new lesson and related craft together. Kids of all ages are most welcome! If inclement weather or covid conditions should shift us to zoom, we will be sure to let families know by Saturday.
Being Baptized at The Dover Church
We rejoice with you as you consider being baptized and seeking baptism for your child. We love baptisms at the Dover Church. Baptism is one of the two sacraments we celebrate at The Dover Church as a member of the United Church of Christ (the other being Communion). A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of God’s grace, meaning that we can all see the water and the people and we believe that God is blessing and welcoming the person.
Confirmation
If you are thinking about confirmation and wondering what it is all about in our congregation, here is a brief description: The confirmation program at The Dover Church may not be what you think of when you picture a typical “confirmation class.” Our confirmands are not expected to memorize a bunch of ideas or list off points of theological doctrine. They aren’t told what they can or cannot believe, and they aren’t expected to have everything figured out.
Middle School Youth Group (MSYG)
We recognize the great gifts, as well as needs, that the youth of Dover (and surrounding towns) bring into our midst and we welcome them—regardless of whether their families are active in our church. Our Middle School youth group provides safe space, trust, community, challenge, and guidance for young people as they share, play, reflect, serve and grow.
High School Youth Group
We recognize the great gifts, as well as needs, that the youth of Dover and surrounding towns bring into our midst and we welcome them—regardless of whether their families are active in our church.
Our High School youth group provides safe space, trust, community, challenge, and guidance for young people as they share, play, reflect, serve and grow. We strive to be wide in our welcome, generous in our support and love, serious in our inclusion, and open-minded in our service toward others!
